News « The UWSA

By-Election 2020 Candidate Speeches

October 16th, 2020

The candidates for the UWSA By-Elections are students just like you. They represent your faculties and communities to the UWSA and the University of Winnipeg. Find out if your representatives care about the same issues as you before you cast your vote.

Attend Candidate Speeches on:
Zoom – https://zoom.us/j/96414374105
Monday, October 19
12.30 – 1:30 PM

Learn more about your election candidates and make an informed vote in the 2020 By-Elections.

Can’t make it to the event? Click here to read Candidate Bios in the Voter’s Guide.

Have any questions? Email cec@theuwsa.ca or visit theuwsa.ca/elections

A message from the REBLITE Board on a safe and fair 2020 By-Elections

October 15th, 2020

Dear students,

Over the past few months, it had become clear to the UWSA that our elections have caused harm to past participants. Unclear expectations and enforcement of conduct, insufficient accountability processes, and a lack of a capacity to follow through are some of the aspects that must be addressed. The Board is reviewing its democratic processes and working towards reforming the system of governance. However, in order to fulfill our obligations as a non-profit board and remain accountable to the student membership, the 2020 By-Elections will take place.

We are in the difficult position of having to navigate a harmful system while we reform it, and we know that this puts election participants in difficult positions as well. Participants can continue to file complaints and appeals through our website, as per the process outlined in the UWSA By-Laws. However, we recognize that the current processes have their limitations.

As the elections commission, the REBLITE Board wants students to know that we are committed to a safe and fair election. We want students to feel safe to come forward with their concerns and there are two points of contact to help students do so. If you have a concern about the election, the first step is to reach out to the Chief Elections Commissioner (CEC), Shenal Fernando, at cec@theuwsa.ca; however, if the concern is regarding the CEC, or if you are unsatisfied with his response, please reach out to the Chair of the Board (CoB), Anjola Aderinto, at chair@theuwsa.ca. Anjola will bring your concern to the REBLITE Board, regardless of whether or not it is a formally submitted appeal, and we will work to address it.

As an organization, we depend on the participation and feedback of our membership. We understand that bringing forward concerns is an act of care that requires significant emotional labour. We value every disclosure and are committed to honouring them through harm-reduction frameworks.

Thank you,
The Referenda and Election By-Law Interpretation and Transparent Enforcement Board
(The REBLITE Board)

Rulings for By-Election 2020

October 5th, 2020

Rulings for By-Election 2020

Complaint Ruling Form – October 4, 2020

UWSA By-Election 2020

October 1st, 2020

The UWSA By-Election period has begun!

The By-Election is where students can run for vacant positions that were not filled during the General Election. To run, you will need to fill out a nomination form and submit it to the Chief Elections Commissioner before the end of the nomination period.

Nomination Period:  Monday, Sept. 28 – Thursday, Oct. 8 *Due by 6 p.m.

2020 By-Election Nomination Form – Candidates must submit a completed nomination form to the CEC at cec@theuwsa.ca by 6 PM on October 8, 2020 in order to eligible to run in the 2020 UWSA By-Elections. All candidates or their scrutineers are encouraged to attend the All Candidates Meeting on Friday, Oct. 9 at 12:30 p.m.

Nomination forms are available in alternate formats on for students with accessibility needs. Requests for an alternative nomination form must be submitted in writing or by phone to the CEC by 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 1. Interested candidates can call 204-786-9052 to make their request.

Open Positions

President of the UWSA
Vice-President External Affairs (VPEA)
Education Director
Environmental Ethics Director
PACE Director
Part-Time/Mature Students’ Director
Recreation & Athletics Director
Science Director
Student Living Director
Women & Non-Binary Students’ Director
Board of Regents Representative

Thinking of running? Check out the Candidate Guide for details on the open positions, campaigning, and voting: Candidates Guide By-Election 2020

Questions? Email the Chief Elections Commissioner at cec@theuwsa.ca

Book your Grad Photo Session with Lifetouch!

September 30th, 2020

Lifetouch Canada will be taking Graduation Photos at their Winnipeg Studio location for University of Winnipeg 2020 Graduates only, on Friday, October 23 and Friday, October 30.

Lifetouch Studio Address: Unit # 3 – 1410 Mountain Avenue

To book your photo appointment, visit the following online link: www.lifetouch.ca/wpgsales

Once on the website, scroll down until you see the purple banner and in the drop-down menu please select “University of Winnipeg” in order successfully book your grad photo appointment.

You will receive your photo proofs by Canada Post 2 – 3 weeks after your photo session. Keep in mind that your proofs are not retouched, but your finished portrait order will include basic retouching at no charge to eliminate blemishes & soften lines.

If you are a graduate with the Faculty of Education, you have the option to purchase an 11×14 souvenir Composite of the 2020 Graduation Class, for $25.00 at the time of your session. Debit or credit is preferred.

In order to ensure your safety and that of our staff, Lifetouch has made a few adjustments to our daily operations to ensure a safe environment, including mask usage, no touch posing, no assistance on grooming and social distancing.

Please read the following points outlined below:

If you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 as outlined by the Province of Manitoba, please do not come to your appointment and we will be happy to reschedule you at a later date. You can refer to the Health Canada Screening Tool website to take a self-assessment test at: ca/covid19/screening-tool/
Please arrive 5 – 10 minutes prior to the start of your scheduled appointment time. Our studio door will remain locked so kindly please wait in your vehicle until one of the photographers calls you on your cell phone and will meet you at the front door. Anyone who is late will not be photographed and cancellations will require 48-hour notice online.
It is recommended that your $20 Session Fee is paid by debit or credit only.
Appointments will be 20 minutes. Only the graduate will be allowed at the appointment; no friends or family members will be permitted to ensure proper safe social distancing.
We will not be including props or casual photos during photo sessions; all photos will be taken in graduation attire.
Graduates who prefer to wear a white dress shirt and black tie, please come prepared to your session already dressed in this attire as there will be no public washrooms or change rooms available to use.
Graduates who prefer to not wear a white dress shirt and tie, we suggest wearing a v-neck or scoop neck shirt. Please come prepared to your session already dressed in this attire as there will be no public washrooms or change rooms available to use.
Photographers will not provide white dress shirts or black ties for graduates to use. Please ensure your tie is pre-tied before your appointment or use a clip-on tie.

Hand sanitizer will be provided upon arrival to your appointment; the refusal of using sanitizer will result in voluntary cancellation of your appointment.

UWSA Board Meeting Today!

September 30th, 2020

A UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 5.30 PM.

Please review the following documents before the meeting:
September 30 Board Meeting Agenda
September 30 Open Session Package

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend Open Session. Please email j.black@theuwsa.ca by 4.30 PM on September 30 for the Zoom link using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.

All participants are expected to abide by the University’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy.

Motion 46: Statement of Support

September 28th, 2020

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) strongly supports Motion 46, which calls on the federal government to introduce legislation and work with provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous peoples to ensure a guaranteed livable basic income.

This universal basic income program would replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) permanently and work towards eradicating poverty and ensure the respect, dignity and security of all persons living in Canada.

The program would be a step towards reducing financial barriers to the access of education by allowing students the freedom to reach their full potential without the burden of student loans, cost of living, and other educational expenses. It would offer people living in poverty opportunities to access post-secondary education and better job opportunities.

Programs like CERB and CESB have demonstrated the benefits and the potential for a guaranteed basic livable income for all. Click here to email your MP and encourage them to support Motion 46.

Computers for Schools Partnership

September 18th, 2020

The UWSA is partnering up with Computers for Schools to give students-in-need access to a desktop for their home! You must be a University of Winnipeg student to be eligible to receive one of the desktops.

Click here to fill out the Computers for School form

After filling out the form you’ll receive an email in the next couple weeks telling you how and when to pick up your desktop.

You will receive:

Desktop Specifications:
- CPU Speed – 2.0GHz+
- Memory – 4.0GB
- Hard Drive – 500 GB
Monitor
Mouse
Keyboard
And, all required cables

Apply for the REBLITE Position!

September 10th, 2020

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 5:00PM Do you want experience working on a non-profit board? We’re looking for a Referenda and Election By-Law Interpretation and Transparent Enforcement (REBLITE) Board Member at the UWSA!

The REBLITE Board is comprised of directors of the UWSA Board and students-at-large and convenes as needed to hear appeals filed against the Chief Elections Commissioner. The REBLITE Board acts as a check-and-balance, ensuring that the UWSA Elections and Referenda are run fairly, transparently, and without bias. There are two available REBLITE seats for students-at-large, and four available alternate seats (called when all other members of the board are unavailable to ensure the board can meet in a timely manner).

Read more and apply here: UWSA Job Opportunities

Virtual Roll Call 2020!

September 3rd, 2020

Roll Call is UWSA’s annual back-to-school event in September. This year, we’re celebrating the start of the school year by bringing Roll Call to the safety of your screens. From September 9 – 11, Join us for three days of virtual events and give-aways on our social media and website.